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The study, conducted by London Fertility Centre, highlighted the problem faced by women searching for the so-called 'perfect man'.

More than a third of women - 35 per cent - believe they have missed the boat when it comes to motherhood because they were holding out for 'the one'.

Many, say the clinic, are so convinced they will never find a suitable partner that they research the possibility of starting a family alone.

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Dr Magdy Asaad from London Fertility
Centre said: 'We frequently receive enquires from single men and women
who are researching their options for starting a family as they get
older.

'Times have changed and being a single parent now is more commonplace than it was, say, 20 or 30 years ago.

And as more women than ever struggle to maintain both career and family, the clinic revealed the fertility issues faced by women who fear they are leaving it too late to have children.

'We have seen increasing numbers of people coming to us for fertility tests, which tell them how long they can wait before starting a family, as well as more women who are freezing their eggs so they can try parenthood later in life.'

The study revealed four out of ten women are increasingly worried time is running out for them to start a family, with 27 per cent of single women claiming to be continually 'on the hunt' for a father for their children, to the extent that one in 20 admits to quizzing any potential suitors to assess their ability to be a good parent.

GOING IT ALONE

A third of single women said if they don't meet 'the one' in time to have a child they'll consider fertility treatment alone.

It also emerged more than a third of single women said if they don't meet 'the one' in time to have a child they would consider 'going it alone' and having fertility treatment.

More than 64 per cent of those defended their decision saying they weredetermined to have a child whether it was with or without a partner, while 35 per cent said that one decent parent is better than two bad ones.

Three quarters of adults questioned believe women are more eager to settle down than men and age 44 was found to be the age that women were considered 'too old' to have a child.

Men, on the other hand, were said to be over the hill in terms of fatherhood at 47 and a half.

And it's not just finding an ideal husband that seems to be keeping singletons from parenthood - 27 per cent of women said they have prioritised their career over starting a family.

QUALITY NOT QUANTITY

35% of women believe it's better to have one decent parent better than two bad.

And a third said they have always worried they wouldn't be able to afford to have children.

Dr Asaad added: 'Considering what age is best to have children, at what point in your career and who you should have them with all cannot be taken lightly, but should your relationships not pan out the way you had hoped it doesn't necessarily mean you won't ever become a parent.

'Fertility treatments have come a long way and there are now a variety of options for single people or those who have left it until slightly later in life who want to have a family.

'Aside from options like egg and sperm freezing, people can help preserve their fertility by leading a healthy lifestyle: stopping smoking, cutting out alcohol and improving diet and overall fitness.'

The study found that 80 per cent of single women said they thought many people take having children for granted.

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